1. Introduction
The Department of Justice Canada is a medium-sized government department, comprising approximately 5,000 employees. Roughly half of the Department’s staff are legal counsel and the other half is composed of a broad range of professionals: policy analysts, strategic advisors, researchers, social scientists, program managers, paralegals, communications specialists, executives and administrative personnel.
In addition to its headquarters in Ottawa, the Department provides services across the country through six regional offices: Atlantic Region, Quebec Region, Ontario Region, Prairie Region, British Columbia Region and Northern Region. Staff at these regional offices provide legal services and support to federal departments and agencies outside of the National Capital Region.
The Department of Justice supports the dual roles of the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of Canada and fulfils three distinctive roles within the Government of Canada, acting as the following:
- A policy department with broad responsibilities for overseeing all matters relating to the administration of justice that fall within the federal domain, such as criminal law and judicial affairs–in this capacity, it helps to ensure a fair, relevant and accessible justice system for all Canadians;
- A provider of a range of legal advisory, litigation and legislative services to government departments and agencies; and
- A central agency responsible for supporting the Minister in advising Cabinet on all legal matters, including the constitutionality of government initiatives and activities.
Justice Canada plays a central role in maintaining a just and democratic society.
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